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Route on-time record

SFO to SAN: most on-time flights and the best time to fly

San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport) to San Diego (San Diego International Airport). 6,524 nonstop flights in Jun 2025 to May 2026, 68% arrived within 15 minutes and 1.0% were cancelled. The most reliable flight number was Alaska 1407 at 6:16 AM.

Flying on a specific date? We’ll adjust for the month, the weekday and the forecast.

SFO → SAN

San Francisco to San Diego: 6,524 nonstop flights a year

On time (12 months)

68%

Cancelled

1.0%

avg delay 20 min

Best time to leave

Before 9 AM

89% on time vs 59% 3 to 6 PM

Most reliable airline

Alaska

85% chance on time

Check SFO to SAN fares

Lowest nonstop fare seen in the next two months: $29 (Frontier 3382 on 2026-10-28). Fares open on our travel partner (Aviasales). Pick the flight number you chose here.

Most reliable nonstop flights

Ranked by the chance the flight operates and arrives within 15 minutes of schedule, from Jun 2025 to May 2026 records.

  1. #1 · Alaska 1407

    6:16 AM → 7:58 AM1h 42m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    97%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    100%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    3 min
    • Arrived on time 100% of the time (18 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 164 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.

    Limited track record · 18 flights

    Find Alaska 1407 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  2. #2 · Alaska 492

    6:35 AM → 8:15 AM1h 40m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-21.

    96%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    97%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    1 min
    • Arrived on time 97% of the time (35 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 35 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Limited track record · 35 flights

    Find Alaska 492 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  3. #3 · United 1980

    7:00 AM → 8:44 AM1h 44m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31. Same departure also flew as United 1712; its record covers all of them.

    94%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    94%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    3 min
    • Arrived on time 94% of the time (270 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 270 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs inside SFO's trouble window: 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.

    Strong track record · 270 flights

    Find United 1980 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  4. #4 · Alaska 383

    7:15 AM → 8:55 AM1h 40m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-12.

    93%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    85%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    6 min
    • Arrived on time 85% of the time (20 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs inside SFO's trouble window: 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
    • Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 164 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.

    Limited track record · 20 flights

    Find Alaska 383 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  5. #5 · United 2476

    6:30 AM → 8:04 AM1h 34m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-18.

    92%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    92%
    Cancelled
    7.1%
    Avg arrival delay
    6 min
    • Arrived on time 92% of the time (13 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 164 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.

    Limited track record · 13 flights

    Find United 2476 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  6. #6 · Southwest 4090

    6:00 AM → 7:35 AM1h 35m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31. Same departure also flew as Southwest 982; its record covers all of them.

    89%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    92%
    Cancelled
    1.3%
    Avg arrival delay
    4 min
    • Arrived on time 92% of the time (79 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 164 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.

    Moderate track record · 79 flights

    Find Southwest 4090 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  7. #7 · SkyWest 3263 · sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska

    6:40 AM → 8:18 AM1h 38m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-03-17.

    87%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    93%
    Cancelled
    6.9%
    Avg arrival delay
    2 min
    • Arrived on time 93% of the time (27 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started).
    • Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 164 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.

    Limited track record · 27 flights

    Find 6:40 AM flight fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  8. #8 · United 635

    1:50 PM → 3:39 PM1h 49m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-20. Same departure also flew as United 1668; its record covers all of them.

    85%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    89%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    6 min
    • Arrived on time 89% of the time (76 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 77 scheduled flights.
    • Departs outside SFO's trouble window (7 AM to 1 PM, when 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started).

    Moderate track record · 76 flights

    Find United 635 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  9. #9 · United 444

    8:10 AM → 9:54 AM1h 44m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-05-31.

    84%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    83%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    7 min
    • Arrived on time 83% of the time (105 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Never cancelled in 105 scheduled flights.
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs inside SFO's trouble window: 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.

    Moderate track record · 105 flights

    Find United 444 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

  10. #10 · Southwest 4712

    7:55 AM → 9:20 AM1h 25m nonstop

    Local times, typical schedule. Last flown 2026-04-01.

    82%

    chance on time

    On time (history)
    100%
    Cancelled
    0.0%
    Avg arrival delay
    2 min
    • Arrived on time 100% of the time (8 flights, Jun 2025 to May 2026).
    • Leaves in this route's most on-time window (Before 9 AM: 89% on time; 3 to 6 PM: 59%).
    • Departs inside SFO's trouble window: 61% of its 333 ground stops and delay programs started between 7 AM and 1 PM.
    • Lands inside SAN's trouble window: 66% of its 164 ground stops and delay programs started between 6 AM and noon.

    Limited track record · 8 flights

    Find Southwest 4712 fares Opens this date on Aviasales

Airlines on this route

Season-adjusted chance of operating and arriving on time.

  • Alaska Airlines85%

    304 flights · 88% on time as flown · 0.3% cancel

  • United Airlines76%

    2,585 flights · 77% on time as flown · 0.5% cancel

  • SkyWest Airlines (sold as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle or Alaska)66%

    1,561 flights · 67% on time as flown · 1.8% cancel

  • Frontier Airlines63%

    188 flights · 60% on time as flown · 1.6% cancel

  • Southwest Airlines55%

    1,886 flights · 55% on time as flown · 1.1% cancel

On time by departure time

All airlines, scheduled local departure, Jun 2025 to May 2026.

  • Before 9 AM89%

    1,427 flights · avg delay 6 min

  • 9 AM to noon61%

    1,545 flights · avg delay 24 min

  • Noon to 3 PM64%

    878 flights · avg delay 25 min

  • 3 to 6 PM59%

    976 flights · avg delay 24 min

  • 6 to 9 PM61%

    1,058 flights · avg delay 23 min

  • After 9 PM70%

    640 flights · avg delay 21 min

Best day: Tuesday (82%). Worst: Friday (66%).

Smarter routing

Nearby airports that run more on time

  • SJC → SAN 73% chance on time

    Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport to San Diego International Airport · 4,990 flights a year · 30 mi from your airports · yours: 68%

    Rank flightsFares

On time by month

All airlines, Jun 2023 to May 2026. Several years per month, so one stormy season doesn't define a month. Travel-month estimates use this seasonal pattern.

J
81
F
72
M
73
A
69
M
69
J
73
J
72
A
74
S
77
O
70
N
73
D
72

What delays this route

  • Late-arriving aircraft49%
  • Air traffic control and airport volume28%
  • Airline (crew, maintenance, boarding)21%
  • Severe weather1%

Share of delay minutes by the cause airlines report to the US DOT.

Historical odds, not a guarantee. Built from the US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics on-time reports (Jun 2025 to May 2026), FAA ground stop and delay program advisories, and 20 years of airport weather observations. Covers US airlines that report to the DOT; schedules are flights operated recently, so confirm times when you book. ATIS Alerts is not affiliated with any airline. Fares are what Aviasales travelers saw in recent searches (USD, one way, 1 adult), not live quotes; the partner site shows the current price. Fare links go to our travel partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

SFO to SAN questions

What time of day is best to fly SFO to SAN?
Before 9 AM: 89% of flights arrived on time, against 59% for departures 3 to 6 PM. Later flights inherit delays from earlier ones, so the first departures of the day usually run best.
Which airline is most on time from SFO to SAN?
Alaska, with a season-adjusted 85% chance of operating and arriving on time over 304 flights. The adjustment compares each airline with what the route did in the months it flew, so a carrier that skipped a stormy month gets no free credit.
What is the worst month for delays on SFO to SAN?
April (69% on time); the best was January (81%), averaged over Jun 2023 to May 2026.
Is this a prediction for my flight?
No. These are historical odds from the US DOT on-time reports, FAA advisories and airport weather records. Check your flight status and the FAA delay board on the day you fly.

More routes from SFO

Live status: FAA delays and ground stops